‘Twas weeks before Christmas, but in all areas common
The voices of residents already were hummin’
With gripes about what should be hung on the walls
Installed or removed from the floors and the halls
In one lobby corner, Mrs. Jones with great care,
Had placed a large Santa, inflated with air
A few feet away several elves vied for space
With symbols of Kwanzaa on a ledge draped with lace
On the opposite wall, a menorah gleamed brightly
Next to lights, red and green, blinking off and on nightly
“Peace to all!” a neon sign blazed with great feeling
‘Neath a sled swinging wildly from a rope on the ceiling
Wreaths by the score and tinsel abounding
Covered the hallways and areas surrounding
An Aluminum tree reached toward the sky
“A nice touch,” groaned Mr. Sims as he tried to squeeze by
The view from the outside wasn’t much better
In their own space, what restraint owners felt was unfettered
Bells, stars and lights of all styles and colors
Adorned building wall from one end to the other
While some balconies remained mercifully bare
Others groaned with the weight of decorations crammed there
As holiday baubles dangled intrusively
From areas set aside for owners’ uses exclusively
Wires hanging at odd angles from trees were wound
Creating fire hazards all over the grounds
The results were amazing, appalling, outlandish,
The situation, most agreed, was quite out-of-handish
Around the pool in the park Santa’s reindeer were huddling
Surrounded by board members, who clearly were struggling
To respond to the cries of residents’ voices
Raised in angry debate over decorative choices
“I think it’s just lovely,” Mrs. Jones was squealing
“It’s ugly!” Mr. Smith snapped, his ire ill concealing
“You have no Christmas spirit,” one owner snorted
“And you have no taste!” another retorted
“What to do, what to do,” the trustees were fretting
The growing discord had all of them sweating
When above the cacophony one voice sounded clearly
With advice and a plan this group needed dearly
“What’s required,” the voice said, “to end this commotion
Are some reasonable guidelines that will curb bizarre notions
You should encourage displays both humorous and pensive
Just make sure they’re not dangerous, annoying or offensive
“So off with the lights that twinkle all night
Disturbing the sleep of everyone in sight
Off too with the figures as tall as the doors
And away with the winter scenes crowding the floors
“Get rid of those pumpkins as long as you’re at it,
They’ve been here since last year and we’ve all about had it!
“But there’s no need to ban decorations completely
No need to make everyone mad,” the voice said sweetly
“You don’t have to play Scrooge, just set sensible limits
You can guide owners’ displays without dashing their spirits.
“Remember the season you’re celebrating here
The idea,” said the voice, “is to encourage good cheer
A sense of community, signs that we care
Respect for our differences and for values we share.”
With those final words the voice faded away
And we’ve never identified the source to this day
But the holidays since have arrived without strife
For keeping the peace, just a few rules suffice
Along with the message we all heard that night
From the voice that remained then and now out of sight
Happy holidays to all, may the memory of its reasons
Bring you peace, joy, and love in this and all seasons
by Nena Groskind
© eContentplus
Nena Groskind is vice president of eContentplus, which provides custom editorial content to a broad range of clients involved in real estate, financial services, law, and related fields. This article appeared in the December issue of Condo Media, a publication of the Community Associations Institute of New England, and is reprinted with permission.
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